Welcoming our new Middle & Upper School Faculty

Paul Armstrong, Middle School Physical Education: Paul brings a positive attitude towards his work and is looking forward to instilling a love for lifelong fitness in his students. Paul earned his bachelor's degree at Luther College and has completed his master's degree in teaching at Hamline University.  Paul will also be serving as the Head Coach for SPA’s Girls’ Varsity soccer program.

Mackenzie Bevins, Middle School Social Studies: Mackenzie brings a strong background in history and a desire to inspire her students to be critical thinkers and active citizens. She is eager to work with our Grade 7 and 8 students and collaborate within the department. Mackenzie earned her master's degree in education from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s in history from Alma College. 

Anne Boemler, Upper School English: Anne will teach American Literature as well as two-semester electives in English this school year.  Anne has taught and tutored widely in the Chicago area; she initially came to SPA from Northwestern University, where she received her Ph.D. in English in 2019.  Anne also holds a master's degree in humanities from the University of Chicago and a bachelor's degree in English from Harvard University.

 

Julia Callander, Upper School English: Julia comes to SPA from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, where they most recently served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Watauga Residential College, teaching English with an emphasis in first-year writing.  Julia also taught French at Concordia Language Villages during the summer while studying Music, English, and Linguistics at Lawrence University in Wisconsin. Julia earned a Ph.D. in English from UCLA and a bachelor’s degree in English and music from Lawrence University.

Winona Duren, Upper School Science: Winona has been in education for almost a decade in a variety of roles teaching science to middle and high school students in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and England.  Additionally, she has coached Highland Park High School’s Dance Team and has led her church’s Youth and Family program. Winona has a master's in science education from Western Governors University (UT), and a bachelor's from Luther College in theater and dance, with a minor in biology.

Chris Godas, Upper School World Languages: Chris earned his bachelor’s in modern language/Chinese from Missouri State University, and is pursuing a master’s degree from the University of Nottingham with a focus on second language acquisition. Chris recently completed a semester-long teaching assignment in State College, Pennsylvania where he taught Mandarin Chinese from beginning through advanced levels. 

Christopher Huebner, Upper School Design & Innovation: Chris is overseeing the Design and Innovation space in the Schilling Center for Math and Science as the coordinator of SPA’s Design Lab, and will work alongside Dr. Kate Lockwood to coach SPA's Upper School Robotics Team.  Chris is transitioning into education after more than a 15 years as a data analyst, programmer, and engineer in the healthcare field. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Macalester College and has completed graduate coursework in computer science at the University of Minnesota and City University of New York.  

Angie Kritta, Upper School Technology: Angie was central to SPA's efforts last year to connect students, teachers, teaching assistants, and parents through the shifting challenges of remote and hybrid learning. Prior to joining SPA, Angie served as the Middle School Technology Coordinator at Breck School for almost two decades.  Angie holds a bachelor's in education from Simpson College and a master's in educational technology from the University of St. Thomas.

Akie Kutsunai, Upper School English: Akie comes to SPA from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee where she completed her master's in education in May of 2021.  While attending Vanderbilt, Akie student-taught at Hillsboro High School in Nashville and has also previously taught and tutored at Scottsdale Preparatory Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona. Akie earned a bachelor's in Liberal Studies from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Akie will teach American Literature and English electives during the 2021-22 school year.

Joe Martin, Upper School Science: Joe comes to SPA with extensive experience as a teacher and tutor in science with Manhattan Prep.  He recently completed his student teaching in May, and expects to complete a master's in education in May of 2022.  Joe has a bachelor's in Astrophysics from Colgate University and has completed additional graduate-level science work at Michigan State University.  Joe will teach Physics 9 and Space Science.

Sandra Nelson, Upper School World Languages: Sandra will teach French I, French II, and Advanced French. She comes to SPA after teaching positions at the University of St. Thomas and the International School of Minnesota.  Sandra holds bachelor’s and master's degrees in American literature from the University of Avignon in France. 

Rebecca (Becca) Opp, Upper School Physical Education: Becca joins SPA from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where she earned her bachelor's in health and human performance.  Additionally, Becca served as a fitness instructor and gymnastics coach during her time on campus at UWRF and has several years of experience and training in the United States Air Force, graduating with honors from her Air Force Basic Training class.

Jay Rainville-Squier, Middle School Learning Specialist: Jay joins the Middle School as the new Learning Specialist after many years at Breck School. Jay earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and brings a wealth of experience working with students, families, and teachers.  Jay is looking forward to supporting the needs of all SPA learners.

Rachel Ruddick, Upper School World Languages: Rachel comes to SPA from teaching roles in both the US and in Europe, including schools in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Rachel holds a bachelor's in biology from Notre Dame, with minors in German and education, and a second bachelor’s in education from Karl Franzen University in Austria, with concentrations in English and biology. 

Julianna (Rosie) Rushing, Upper School Science: Rosie will be teaching Chemistry and Neuroscience in the Upper School. She has held teaching assistant positions at the University of Minnesota and at the University of Puget Sound. She is also an alumna of the University of Puget Sound, earning a bachelor's degree in chemistry with honors.  

McKenna Shaw, Upper School Math: In five years of teaching, McKenna has worked in a diverse range of New York school settings, teaching math at York Preparatory School, the Bronx Community Charter School, and the South Bronx Early College Academy Charter School.  McKenna holds a master's in secondary math education and a bachelor's in mathematics, both from New York University.

Zach Sheffert, Upper School Math: Zach comes to SPA from the International School of Minnesota, where he taught Middle and Upper School math.  Zach has experience teaching in many areas of advanced mathematics and coaching competitive math teams through the Art of Problem Solving Virtual Academy and the Minnesota State High School Math League.  Zach earned his bachelor’s in mathematics from Oklahoma State University.

Ethan Somes, Upper School Math: Ethan arrives at SPA after completing his student teaching at Fridley High School and a master's of teaching in mathematics at Hamline University.  His previous teaching experience includes tutoring middle school students at Ramsey Middle School and at Breakthrough Silicon Valley in San Jose, California and Providence, Rhode Island. Ethan graduated from Carleton College with a degree in computer science and a minor in women’s and gender studies. 

Scott Telfer, Upper School English: Scott joined SPA last year as a teaching assistant in French and English before moving into a teaching position in English. Scott has extensive experience teaching in Canada, Texas, China, and now at SPA. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in education, history and English from the University of Western Ontario, where he also earned a J.D. 

Colton Werner, Upper School Computer Science & Engineering: Colton graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in computer science and a minor in linguistics.  He will teach Programming and Problem-Solving, Computer Science Principles I and II, and Applied Programming in the Upper School. 

Jacqueline Wigfall, Upper School English: Jacqueline comes to SPA from Durham, North Carolina where she most recently taught at Northern High School. She has also taught English and ESL abroad, in Honduras, China, and Micronesia.  In addition to a Ph.D. from Stanford, Jacqueline has a master's in teaching from Duke University, a master's in English from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and a bachelor's degree from Brown University.